Soroptimist El Dorado met February 5 with 16 members present. Guest speaker Pamela Cartwright, Director of Community Services at SBA Memorial Hospital, shared useful tips for maintaining hearth health. February is National Heart Health Month. Pam was accompanied by Jodi Hearn, Medical Assistant at the Hospital.

Vice President Janett Doile called the business meeting to order. January meeting minutes were approved. Bebee Thomas presented the Treasurer’s report. Correspondence read included letters thanking our club for its donations to local schools, to help high school students attend HOBY Leadership training, and to the club’s BCC Nursing Scholarship.

Brenda Burk distributed tickets to sell for our annual Potato Supper fundraiser on Monday, March 5, 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Tickets are sold in advance, and at the door. Members signed up to make homemade goodies for the Bake Sale.

Janett Doile circulated sign-up schedules to bake cookies and work concessions at girls softball and boys baseball games. Plans were finalized for our inaugural “Dream It, Be it!” career support event for teen girls in April.

Nancy Reddinger announced a membership recruitment social on March 19, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Civic Center. It is open to the public. Anyone wanting to know more about Soroptimist are encouraged to stop by.

Soroptimist International of El Dorado, KS, invites women to apply for its annual Live Your Dream Award. These awards assists women who are seeking to better their lives through additional schooling and skills training.

Award recipients must be a woman who is the primary financial support for her household, has at least one dependent (e.g., child, parent, spouse), and is enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program.

The recipient of this year’s award will receive a $1000 cash grant to be used for education-related expenses (books, childcare, transportation, groceries, etc.).

The club’s first place recipient will advance to the Soroptimist South Central Region to compete for additional cash awards. Award recipients from Soroptimist International’s 28 geographic regions are then eligible for one of four $10,000 finalist awards.

The deadline to submit an application is November 15, 2017. Applications and more information are available from club members, including the LYDA committee chair Brenda Burk, 316-322-5622 (cell/text), bburk816@gmail.com.

Soroptimist International is a volunteer organization for women committed to improving the lives of women and girls in their community, and throughout the world, through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. More information is online at http://www.SoroptimistElDoradoKS.org.

Sharon Mangels provided an update on the current balance of our club’s BCC Endowed Nursing Scholarship.

Judie Storandt and Janett Doile presented information on Soroptimist’s global Dream It, Be It program. The goal of the program is to offer career support for girls though education and access to role models. Our club’s event is planned for April 2018.

Brenda announced November 15 is the application deadline for the annual Live Your Dream Award. Our club awards $1000 to a woman who is the financial head of her household and a student pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training certificate. More information on the Live Your Dream Award can be found at www.SoroptimistInternational.org or by contacting a Soroptimist club member Brenda Burk, 316-322-5622 (cell/text).

Gail noted the South Central District meeting is in Hutchinson, KS, October 6-8. Seven members will attend.

Donations of women’s sweats were collected to be given to Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital for women treated in the Emergency Room who are in need of clothing to return home.

Soroptimist El Dorado’s monthly meeting on June 5 was a dinner meeting at Cardinal Creek Farm in Leon. Seventeen members enjoyed a delicious meal accompanied by chirping birds and tallgrass prairie swaying in the breeze before President Gail Gomez called the meeting to order.

Geeta Theresa and Velma Larmier were inducted as new members.

May minutes were approved. Bebee Thomas presented the Treasurer’s report. Thank you notes from USD 490 counselors and the Safehouse for donations received from our club were read. Marsha Greene gave a planning update on the Best for Women Fair.

For the Director’s Minute, Darla Deaton provided information on the Soroptimist International of the America’s (SIA) Logo. The new SIA logo was unveiled in January. Clubs are being asked to transition to the new ‘S’ logo and Best for Women branding statement. Both the new logo and branding statement align with our mission “Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment”.

The Soroptimist South Central Region Conference was held April 21-23 and hosted by SI Rockwall, TX. Our club was represented by Gail Gomez, Brenda Burk, Susan Adams, Debi LaForge and Janett Doile. 25 clubs and 112 members were present.

Election of Officers for 2017-2018 was held. Susan Adams presented the 2017-2018 budget.

Our annual Soroptimist Fiesta is at Gail’s house on May 19. Our June meeting will be held at Cardinal Creek Farm.

Women who would like to know about our club are invited to a meet & greet on Monday, March 13, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the El Dorado Civic Center, 201 E. Central Avenue in El Dorado, KS. This is an opportunity to meet members over wine and snacks, and learn about our service programs, scholarships, and awards for women and girls.